Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Social Democrats, I condemn in the strongest possible terms the illegal invasion of Ukraine by the Putin regime. The attacks on civilians, the use of rockets and bombs on civilian targets, the brutal murder of children, the use of cluster bombs and the war crimes that are happening need to be condemned by all of us in the strongest possible terms. It is important that we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and, indeed, the people in Russia who have been bravely protesting against this war. We must also support the Ukrainian community in Ireland and everybody in eastern Europe and Asia who lives with the constant threat of Russian aggression.

This is not just an attack the Ukrainian people; it is also an attack on democracy, international law and a rules-based international system - things which we all hold dear. It is also an attack on the system which has a simple tenet that countries cannot take by force the territory of other countries. It is important that we all stand in unity against that.

It is also important that we do what we can, as other Deputies have stated. We must focus on what can be done to support the people of Ukraine. While it is welcome that the Russian war crimes that are being committed will be investigated by the International Criminal Court, there is a need for urgent action now. This is no time for half measures. I support the calls that have been made by Deputies from different parties across this House for the immediate expulsion of the Russian ambassador. I have heard and appreciate the reasons that have been given for not doing that. If we expel the ambassador, we can expect a reciprocal move and the expulsion of our ambassador from Russia. However, that would not necessarily mean that all diplomatic ties and presences would have to be removed as part of that.

All Irish-domiciled Russian assets need to be frozen and seized immediately and all forms of trade with Russia should be ceased immediately. The harshest possible economic sanctions are needed. According to Eoin Burke-Kennedy, a credible commentator writing in The Irish Times, the sanctions were carefully crafted to avoid major economic fallout. That is a very serious charge he has made. He has stated that economic self-interest is inhibiting the level of the sanctions going through. Other commentators have said that the expulsion of only some of the Russian banks from the SWIFT system does not go far enough.

At this point, we need to end all business and trade with Russia. Everyone doing business with Russia, including those buying oil or gas, holding investments, engaged in commercial arrangements or sitting on boards, is contributing to Putin's war chest. Anyone involved in that is fuelling the invasion of Ukraine. Pension funds and companies should divest now. Members of boards should resign. It all needs to stop now. That signal needs to come clearly from everybody who stands against the invasion.

Some €34 billion is held by Russian-linked shell companies registered with the IFSC. Between 2005 and 2017, according to research by Cillian Doyle and Jim Stewart, €118 billion was funnelled through the IFSC by Russian entities through so-called section 110 trusts. There must be no more sheltering of Russian money through the IFSC.

We can also be strong in our support the people of Ukraine through our humanitarian response. We should have the strongest possible humanitarian response to support everybody who is fleeing from war and the civilian population remaining in Ukraine.

Food supplies will be of critical importance because it will be a matter of only days before food runs out in some areas. While we have heard from the Government about some of the measures that will be taken, we have not been given details of how that level of humanitarian assistance will be provided in terms of what needs to be done in the coming days. It is important that we hear more in this regard.

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